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Troon RNLI tasked to vessel aground in Barassie Bay

Lifeboats News Release

At 2.05pm on Sunday 10 May 2026, the crew pagers were activated by Belfast Coastguard to assist a yacht believed to be aground on Mill Rock to the north of Troon harbour within Barassie Bay.

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Troon RNLI inshore lifeboat launching on service
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With the volunteers attending at the lifeboat station, Troon RNLI D class inshore lifeboat Sheena was quickly launched to assist.

While on route, the yacht was confirmed to be free of the rock and was able to safely continue with no assistance required from the lifeboat crew.

The inshore lifeboat was able to return to station where it was made 'ready for service' with the assistance of the shore crew.

Although no assistance was required from the crew the launch marked the first callout for new volunteer crewmember Graeme Whiteford on the inshore lifeboat.

Following the callout Graeme said: ‘With this being my first callout onboard the D class inshore lifeboat, it was good to be able to start putting all my recent training into action, but I was glad to see the yacht and those onboard were all safe and well.'

Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond added: ‘Well done to Graeme, who after several months of training, went to sea today on his first inshore lifeboat callout. It was good to see him get that first callout and join his fellow RNLI volunteers on the lifeboat. We are very proud of his dedication and commitment to his training.'

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Andrew Limond
Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station

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